On Mahashivratri, we invite the grace of Shiva and Shakti into our lives.

Mahadev and Maa Parvati are the embodiments of inner strength, transformation, and benevolence. 

We celebrate this grace and worship Shiva and Shakti in various ways and through different rituals.

Yet, this auspicious day calls us not only to observe rituals but to reflect deeply on how we can express divine Shakti (power) in our everyday lives through selfless service and upliftment of the vulnerable. 

One of the most powerful ways to honour this spirit of Shakti is by extending your hand to the underprivileged girl children who are deprived of basic rights like education and nutrition.

At its heart, Mahashivratri is not just about fasting and prayers — it’s about awakening compassion and acting on it. 

 

Why Annadaan & education are crucial for girl children

In our culture, we consider girl children as true forms of Shakti.

In the yogic and spiritual tradition, Shakti is the life force that fuels creativity, compassion, and change. 
And two acts embody this Shakti most profoundly when it comes to social transformation:

Annadaan — Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul

Hunger is not just a physical suffering — it’s a barrier to education, dignity, and human potential. 
When children come to school on an empty stomach, their ability to learn, engage, and grow is severely hampered. 

Mid-day meals in schools remove classroom hunger, increase attendance, and keep children motivated to learn.

Donating food - especially through programs that serve daily nutritious meals — goes beyond charity. 
It's a lifeline for underprivileged children who otherwise may remain trapped in the cycle of poverty. 
Sharing food with a hungry child is not just feeding the body — it is uplifting hope and enabling dreams to flourish.

Education - Empowerment for a Lifetime

Education is the great equalizer. For girls, it is a source of confidence, self-worth, and economic freedom. 
Educated girls:

• Are less likely to be married early
• Have healthier families
• Contribute more effectively to society and the economy
• Become role models in their communities

Thus, sponsoring a girl’s education is more than an act of kindness — it is a meaningful investment in the future of families, societies, and the nation.

Vishwa Jagriti Mission’s (VJM) Kanya Atmanirbhar Abhiyan: Turning Pledge into Action

VJM’s Kanya Atmanirbhar Abhiyan is a flagship program dedicated to empowering underprivileged girls by ensuring access to quality education, nutrition, and self-reliance training.

Free Education & Support Services

Through initiatives like Gyandeep Vidyalaya, Faridabad and social outreach, VJM identifies girls from slums, ragpicker families, and economically weak backgrounds — the ones most at risk of dropping out or never entering school. 

These girls are provided:

• Free education
• Free uniforms, books, stationery, and educational materials
• Nutritious mid-day meals every school day
• Access to healthcare and supportive learning environments

Every classroom becomes a place of real learning — where hunger no longer stands between a child and her education.

Mid-Day Meal Program — Ending Classroom Hunger

VJM’s Mid-Day Meal Program aims to end classroom hunger, not only boosting attendance but ensuring children remain healthy and ready to learn. 

A simple, wholesome meal served with dignity becomes a powerful incentive for children and parents alike — reinforcing the belief that education is both valuable and accessible.

Skill Development & Self-Reliance

But education is only the first step. VJM goes further by offering skill development training through Anand Dham Kaushal Vikas Kendra in Faridabad. 

These vocational programs enable girls and young women to become economically independent - whether through beauty and wellness skills, computer literacy, or tailoring and craftsmanship.

Once trained, these young women are supported with guidance on job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and even assistance for self-employment so they can truly become self-reliant and empowered.

How You Can Make a Difference This Mahashivratri

This Mahashivratri, as you perform Rudrabhishek, meditate and offer prayers, consider making a pledge that creates long-lasting impact. 

Your contribution — no matter the amount — can change a life:

Ways to Serve

• Sponsor a girl’s education through VJM’s Kanya Atmanirbhar Abhiyan
• Donate towards mid-day meals for a child for an entire year
• Support skill training to help girls become self-reliant
• Give educational materials like uniforms, books, and stationery

Every rupee you contribute plants a seed of hope that blossoms into confidence, opportunity, and a brighter future.

And remember — your donation is tax-deductible under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, making this act of generosity both spiritually and financially meaningful.

This Mahashivratri, be the Shakti for Change

Mahashivratri reminds us of the power that lies within each of us — the power to transform suffering into strength, ignorance into knowledge, and hunger into hope. 

By pledging Annadaan and education for girl children, you are living the true essence of Shakti.
Let this festival be the day you choose to uplift a life. 

When you feed a child and educate her, you not only change her destiny — you change the destiny of generations to come.

This Mahashivratri — stand with VJM’s Kanya Atmanirbhar Abhiyan. 

Be a source of Shakti. 
Come, donate & transform.